Gordon Cork will be returning
shortly..........
The aim
of this column is to provide an insight into the workings of that most
difficult of conundrums, the all aged handicap. Handicaps are often
described as unfathomable but on many occasions the consistent
application of certain flexible “rules”
allows the contenders to be significantly pruned to a manageable amount
where the winner on further inspection may emerge.
The approach
will be to identify horses that:
a) Are in
form
b) Are
“well handicapped”
c) Possess a
winning attitude.
Within this
framework such issues as age, time of year, going requirements, course,
distance, jockey bookings etc will be looked at to ascertain whether a
horse has the capability of winning and more importantly will be trying
to win a particular race.
It’s
amazing to see how just many races are won by young, previous winners
this season, that are in form and racing at a suitable course. Often at
unbelievable prices. The main thing to remember is that most older
horses need so many things in their favour to turn over the young
improvers that many contenders can be quickly thrown out by just
considering handicap marks. The trainer of an older horse (5yo+) needs
as many things in his favour as possible once the season is in full
swing, that often their horse may not be fully ready to race for its
life until a certain time of the year and then for maybe only one or two
races at most, no matter how “well -in”
it may appear on private handicap ratings.
